** This post contains two products provided by WikiBuy. This post also contains affiliate links. I am compensated for purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting Floradise!

Today is my due date, but Adelina is 2 and a half weeks old now! I still can’t believe it.

In honor of my due date, I am sharing what I packed in my hospital bag and what I actually used. I am also listing items I brought but ended up not needing or using for whatever reason. As I mentioned before, I almost didn’t have my hospital bag packed when my water broke and it was time to head to labor and delivery. I was in denial as I threw in whatever I could think of and headed out the door, not knowing I would spend FOUR days in the hospital.

What I packed in my hospital bag:

Pink nursing robe: I found this beautfil pink robe with lace trim on WikiBuy, a shopping website I tried last month that helps you find deals online. This robe is super soft and comfortable. I wore it in the hospital for photos with baby Adelina and Graham.

Newborn gown, sleeper and onesies: I ended up mostly keeping her in the hospital onesies because they were easier to deal with at the time and she kept being undressed to be examined. I had also packed a Little Sister sleeper to go home in, but she ended up not wearing it. I found a super cute sleeper gown on Wikibuy as well but it had to wait until she got home because she was a tiny newborn.

Lip balm: I kept this at my side during the entire labor process and afterward. You need to pack this!

Camera and GoPro: Graham filmed the labor on the GoPro and I hope to find the time to edit the video soon. We took some photos but were so tired that we ended up purchasing the photos offered in the hospital instead.

Slippers: I wore these out of the hospital and during our stay.

Flipflops: I wore these in my room at first but switched to non-slip socks later on.

Non-slip socks.

Going-home outfit: I wore a maternity jacket with non-maternity joggers. I also brought a nursing cami and nursing bra. I wore both.

Prenatal vitamins.

Headphones: I liked listening to music and videos during labor.

Snacks. I was glad I had these when I moved to my recovery room late at night when there was no room service.

Water bottle: I wanted to be eco-friendly and reuse the bottle but nurses often brought me water in new cups. I also was given a large bottle in the hospital and that one was much better. I still use it now.

Earth Mama Herbal Perineal Spray: I am so glad I brought this because the nurse said they were out of Dermaplast, what hospitals typically use, when I arrived in my room. I liked this more natural option, and it smells nice!

Boppy pillow: I used this for nursing at first but then I ended up using My Breast Friend, which the lactation consultant in the hospital seemed to think was better.

Hair ties: Definitely used.

Towel: I didn’t use my own; no idea why.

Toothpaste, toothbrush and mouthwash: Definitely used.

Contacts, glasses, contact solution, contact case: Definitely used.

Face wipes: I cleaned my face with them a few times.

Chargers: People say to get an extra long cord for your chargers and I completely agree.

What I forgot:

Shampoo and conditioner: I regretted this when I took a shower. I had to use baby shampoo.

Diaper bag: I didn’t really forget this, but it was delivered to our place the day Adelina was born. Graham later brought it to the hospital and we filled it with things the hospital sent home with us, like a HALO swaddle.

Our own pillows and blankets: The hospital pillows are the worst. So uncomfortable. Bring your own in a non-white cover!

Adelina is here! It’s been one week with our beautiful baby girl, so I wanted to share Adelina’s birth story and some of our first family photos.

Two days after I posted a photo on Instagram of a few items I was packing for baby girl’s hospital bag, I awoke at 6 a.m. to my water breaking. I was 37 weeks and 3 days with a doctor’s appointment scheduled later that morning.

I wasn’t 100 percent sure what I experienced was my water breaking, but after emptying my bladder and realizing it was still occurring, I knew this was it. I texted and called Graham and my sister before leaving a message for my OB. About 10 minutes later, the doctor on call advised me to come into labor and delivery to get checked out. Worse case, she said, I would be sent home, but otherwise I would be having the baby that day.

I wasn’t prepared to hear that news. My bags weren’t fully packed and I had not felt a single contraction within the previous days. This first timer assumed I would have some indication that this was near. (I did have other symptoms I now realize were hints.) For some reason I have known for some time I would not make it to April 30, but I didn’t expect it so early.

We arrived at the hospital at 10 a.m. and were taken to a triage room so they could check whether the discharge was amniotic fluid. I was told I was only about 1 cm dilated, if that. We were next checked into what would be our labor and delivery room. The nurse suggested I order myself lunch while I still could. I was starving at this point, so I devoured a plain garden burger in about 10 seconds. After lunch, Graham headed out to pick V up from preschool and take her to our friends’ apartment, where she would stay until later that evening. Graham’s parents had told us they would be driving up from Louisville, Kentucky, as soon as we told them my water broke, but it’s a five-hour drive, so luckily we have friends nearby who were amazing enough to switch their schedules around. (They had also offered to take her overnight; they’re angels. Plus they left me cinnamon streusel bread. Yum!)

While Graham was out I walked around the hospital for about an hour and 15 minutes to try to start contractions. I felt so ridiculous walking around in my hospital gown, but I quickly let go about caring what people think. haha

Around 2 p.m., I started Pitocin. The justification was the risk of infection. I spent the entire afternoon either walking around the hospital again with my ridiculous drip rack or laboring in my room. The contractions, while getting more regular, were not that intense and wouldn’t be until much later that night. Around 10 p.m. a Foley catheter balloon was suggested to speed things along given the duration of my ruptured membranes. I did not want to do this at all. I asked to wait a while longer to give the Pitocin more time to work, but by 2 a.m., it was clear Pitocin was not doing what it needed to do. My water had almost been broken for 24 hours by then and the risk of infection was consistently brought up. At this point I also found out I had mild preeclampsia after my blood pressure readings escalated. I ended up needed the Foley balloon catheter, anyway. The Foley balloon catheter was one of the most uncomfortable procedures I’ve ever experienced. But, after about another 6 hours, a nurse removed it and it was clear that it was working. My contractions were becoming a lot more intense. I was exhausted and needed a rest, so at some point that morning I requested IV pain management. (The timeline starts to get fuzzy here.) It allowed me to sleep while taking the edge off contractions. I also used a birthing ball to help with contractions that afternoon, along with getting into the tub in my labor and delivery room. I felt like I could manage my contractions so far, but then I remember asking to get out of the tub. I had several people in the room encouraging me and doing who knows what else, but I tuned everyone out. It’s funny, labor was the only time in my life I did not care one bit who saw me undressed or what anyone thought. (A resident would hours later ask if he could observe and assist in the delivery and I said, “Sure, why not?” when I typically would say no. At that point I no longer cared!) Later, a cervical check told us I was about 7 centimeters dilated and the on-call OB suggested an epidural to help get me the rest of the way. My body was no longer relaxing/progressing as it did before. I decided that my ultimate goal was to avoid a C section amid the compelling reasons I was given: infection and preeclampsia. I consented to an epidural despite the fear of the actual process. It was the most uncomfortable, and downright awful, part of the labor, but I was able to relax and even sleep. (I know many people don’t think the epidural is that bad, but this is my own experience.) I was soon(ish) at 10 centimeters but we decided to labor down to let the contractions do the work so I wouldn’t have to push for hours. I am so glad I did this! Although, it was clear Graham (and the rest of my family) was getting impatient based on the texts asking for updates but I also know it was just excitement. Around 9 p.m. the OB suggested practice pushes even though I didn’t yet feel the urge to push that many people describe. Once I did the first set of pushes it was clear I was ready, no need for practice. I just needed to push. It was finally time!

I kept hearing encouragement from Graham and the nurse while pushing, but I almost didn’t believe she was so close to coming out until the nurse asked if I wanted to feel her head. She brought my hand to it; it was incredible and motivating.

About 20 minutes later, Adelina was born!

It is 100 percent true that all the uncomfortable and painful aspects of labor are worth it when you see your baby. Graham cut the cord and she was brought onto my chest. It was amazing to see her little face! I didn’t even realize or care what was happening down there as I held her, including delivering the placenta.

We ended up being in the hospital from 10 a.m. Wednesday to 2 p.m. Saturday, which was the longest time away from V, ever. The hospital had a no-children visitor policy because of a recent illness/flu outbreak, so she was not able to meet her sister until we made it home from the hospital. It was heartbreaking to not see V and be able to introduce the sisters, but there was nothing we could do. I was just so happy to be home Saturday with our newest family member and to have had family watch V while we were at the hospital. (Graham came home throughout the four days to take our dog Capone out and our friend also helped.)

We did take advantage of photography offered by Bella Baby Photography while we were there. I love how the photos came out, though I still want to do a family session.

I wasn’t sure if I would be able to do maternity photos during my pregnancy. It’s been so gray and cold and I’ve been moving a bit more slowly lately, but luckily I had the opportunity to shoot with Abigail Joyce Photography at her Chicago area studio! I was so grateful to schedule an intimate in-studio maternity shoot with Abigail just as I hit 35 weeks. I was also able to try on some of the beautiful and elegant maternity gowns she has at her studio in Westchester, Illinois.

The simple, white wall and curtains allow the focus to be on the mom (or mom and baby!) as well as the dresses. This blush pink lace gown was my favorite! I am obsessed with lace dresses, so it was perfect for my maternity photos. After spending weeks wearing mostly comfortable, loose clothing, I needed the chance to feel pretty in a lovely dress as I near the end of my pregnancy!

I also really loved this sheer white-lace gown that Abigail had in her studio. The gown really highlights a mom-to-be’s growing belly and curves. Abigail makes sure you feel comfortable throughout your shoot, too. I had no doubt the photos would be well done.

It felt like such a treat to feel elegant in long flowy gowns like this cream color dress during my maternity shoot with Abigail. I liked how it was form fitting at the top and draped beautifully at the bottom. I’m now convinced maxi dresses are the way to go.

I fell in love with each gown I tried on. Of course, you can and should feel free to bring your own gown(s) and any baby items you’d like to feature. I chose to do my shoot alone, but you can also do family/couples maternity sessions. While she does amazing work with families and couples, I think she is especially gifted in maternity and newborn shoots, as well as mommy-and-me sessions. Check out the Abigail Joyce Photography Instagram page to see for yourself.

This was my third photography session with Abigail, so I’ve now experience three different types of shoots: couples/anniversary, family and now a maternity. I have loved her photos each time, so I completely trust Abigail Joyce Photography’s direction and talent. (Plus she sent me home with snacks and water, which this preggo appreciates!)

The most asked question we’ve heard from friends and family lately is what our baby girl’s name will be. Actually, people have been asking since we announced our pregnancy. I’ve known since before I became pregnant that I would not want to share the baby name ahead of the birth, though. I don’t think these are groundbreaking reasons, but I want to write about why we aren’t sharing our baby name yet.

A commonly cited reason for not sharing the name would be that you don’t want people to ruin it for you with their opinion. I get it. I really do. For me it goes a little beyond that, too. I don’t want to hear positive opinions about it, either. I’m not looking for reassurance that I made the right choice. Basically, I don’t want to hear either that you think it’s cute or that you hate it. I wanted this decision to be only ours, not influenced by anyone else.

Some people might think we deem ourselves to be overly important because we aren’t sharing it. That’s not the case, either. I don’t pretend to think people are obsessing about our baby’s name like they do with celebrities’ kids. I simply want to keep the name to ourselves. It’s been so special keeping something only between Graham and me for months. It’s been about the only thing we can keep to ourselves amid all the questions people seem to ask pregnant women.

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with announcing the name the minute you know it or using it throughout the pregnancy, but another reason I don’t want to share it yet is that it doesn’t feel natural for us to do that. I want to see her and use her name openly for the first time then. I am tearing up just thinking about it.

In today’s social-media driven world it seems like we feel the rush to share things as soon as they happen. I didn’t want to do that with the name. I wanted to allow myself to think about it for months and carefully consider middle name options. I don’t want to feel pressured to make such a big decision on anyone else’s timetable.

** This post features the DockATot and Binxy Baby products that I received compliments of the companies, but all opinions are my own. This post also contains affiliate and referral links. Thank you for supporting Floradise!

Lots of changes are heading our way when our baby girl is born next month, but one thing I’m sure will remain the same: We will be constantly on-the-go. That inspired me to share items I had my eye on and that would be helpful for other busy new parents. Some of these may be baby items you might not have heard of or maybe you recognize these products as essential, beautiful, useful and innovative. I need all the help I can get with our new baby and in case you do, too, I’m sharing my baby product wish list gift guide for on-the-go moms and dads! These are items I think will make life so much easier for those who travel often, have a busy schedule or sometimes need to multitask.

Baby Product Gift Guide for On-the-Go Moms

Baby carrier: I already own a carrier that we used for Victoria, but I wanted one that was more comfortable and wasn’t as bulky and complicated. I was so excited to be gifted a baby carrier at my first baby shower and I plan to use it a ton during Chicago summer and when we travel so family can see the baby. There are so many different kinds and brands of carriers out there, but listening to how the mom wants to carry her baby and what features she is looking for can point you in the right direction.

Binxy Baby Shopping Cart Hammock: I first read about the Binxy Baby shopping cart hammock on a mommy blog I follow. The blogger has five children, so I listen to her recommendations because she clearly has some knowledge! I wanted to try Binxy Baby to make my future solo store trips with the girls as easy as possible, so I was thrilled to have been gifted this innovative product by Binxy Baby! I had been wondering how the heck I was supposed to fit my groceries into my cart and where nearly 4-year-old V would sit, but now I will be able to have them both safely in the cart and I can actually get my shopping done. The Binxy Baby shopping cart hammock has been tested for safety and can hold up to 50 pounds with an infant car seat, or I can simply place the baby into the hammock itself until she can sit up unassisted. (Binxy Baby fits most shopping carts that are 20 to 24 inches wide and it’s not for use in double shopping carts or mini carts.) When I am done I can easily roll the hammock up and put it in my purse or diaper bag. It sounds super convenient! Plus, I picked out the floral print that matches so many of baby girl’s little clothes and accessories. She will look so cute in this hammock. You can get 10 percent off your purchase at Binxy Baby with my referral link.

I’m keeping the instructions handy for when I use the hammock.

The Binxy Baby hammock rolls up easily and can fit into my purse or diaper bag.The floral print matches with some of baby girl’s accessories!

Stroller/car seat gate check bag: We travel often and our families are out of state, so I wanted to have bags to safely transport our stroller and car seats while flying. In the past we simply check our car seat without a bag, but it’s taken a beating. I want to be more careful with baby’s car seat and the new stroller we plan to purchase so that it will last and won’t need to be cleaned as often. Babies have enough accidents to clean as it is! If you know parents who also plan to travel often, a gate check bag might be a thoughtful gift for them!

While a stroller gate check bag is shown, I plan to buy one for our car seat as well.

DockATot: The DockATot portable baby lounger is another raved about product I knew I needed in my life. Because we suffer from Chicago apartment space problems, the DockATot is going to be so helpful in saving space and being flexible! It’s a multipurpose item, too, which the minimalist in me loves. It can be used as a lounger, cosleeper and for playtime. DockATot gifted us the Deluxe size for 0 to 8 months, but a larger Grand DockATot suits ages 9 to 36 months. I fell in love with La Vie en Rose print from DockATot among the company’s gorgeous prints. I also really loved the Bananas for You leaf print cover, and I can always change up the cover if I want to later on. The lounger feels soft (It’s made from 100 percent cotton.) and looks super cozy for our little one! I like that I will be able to easily move the DockATot and our baby girl from room to room as needed when she’s here and when I eventually go back to working from home. Also, we can bring this along when we travel to Louisville or Phoenix for the baby is sleep in as we visit family. The DockATot comes with a bag that we can use to transport it and keep it clean. Get $10 off your DockATot purchase with my referral link.

We like that we can store or transport our DockATot in its plastic bag.

Milk Snob multipurpose nursing/car seat cover: As I mentioned when describing the DockATot, I enjoy items that have more than one use so I can make the most of the product and so I can minimalize the amount of belongings I have. That’s why I added a Milk Snob nursing cover to my registry, and my friends were kind enough to gift it to us this week! I like that the cover I received can be used as a car seat or stroller cover and while I nurse. I could even use it to cover the shopping cart seat for my toddler while baby rides in the Binxy Baby hammock.

Bonus option: A diaper bag: This is the hardest item to shop for in my opinion. I still don’t have the perfect bag because I want to take my time and find a bag that is comfortable to wear, has conveniently located pockets, and isn’t too bulky or heavy. I tend to prefer cross-body bags over backpacks and totes; I just don’t think it’s convenient to have to take off the backpack to grab items quickly. I used a backpack for my then-2-year-old V and I didn’t like it at all when I was on the go. If you’d like to gift a diaper bag to someone, it’s a great idea to figure out the mom’s preferences for her bag!

What items on this list would you like to own if you have/plan to have kiddos?

It’s getting real, folks. I am currently 34 weeks pregnant with a fast-approaching due date. Today I wanted to share my third trimester pregancy update and favorite products, which are items I am loving because they are making me more comfortable as our baby girl’s birth nears.

My most persistent symptom this trimester has been heartburn. I cut back on cheese and citrusy and spicy foods to try to alleviate it as much as possible. I’ve had mixed success with that. I use heartburn chews and my sister-in-law sent me some heartburn tea, which helps for the most part!

The hormones have made me even more emotional than I already am, which hasn’t been easy to deal with. I am extremely sensitive to the things people say and my reactions can sometimes be heightened. I think everything’s going to be OK, though!

I’ve also had some physical pain. I feel a pulling in my hip area that has not gone away. I thought yoga would help, but I am also afraid of overstretching so I tend to be super careful in many poses. I stopped running completely because I believe it makes the pulling sensation worse, but I have been able to use the elliptical and do such exercises as squats. I also was able to hike in Phoenix, Hawaii and San Francisco while I was there, so I’m grateful for that. As probably every pregnant woman will say, I also have back pain. My belly has expanded exponentially in just the last two or three weeks. I have a small, short frame, so really it makes sense that the baby has nowhere to grow but outward!

I feel our baby girl moving constantly, and I love every second of it. It’s just so special! I’ve definitely felt the nesting instinct lately, too: I have been nonstop decluttering and cleaning since February. I just could not wait any longer. As far as baby prep, we have everything we will need when she arrives. Because we don’t know when we will be moving, we are holding off on such items as a crib. Luckily our friends and family have been generous enough to gift us pretty much all of the essentials and a ton of baby clothes and items. (I will be sharing the remaining items on my baby wish list soon in a post!) I’m super eager to pack my hospital bag because I like to be prepared AHEAD of time, but I’ll wait a week or two longer.

My third trimester favorites are those items that help me make more comfortable and happy in general. While every pregnancy is different, I’m convinced these items would be appreciated by any pregnant woman.

Third Trimester Pregnancy Favorites:

Bio Oil: I read about this in January in a blogger’s pregnancy update and immediately purchased it. It smells amazing! The bottle says it must be used for at least three months, so I won’t know how well it works until later on, but I feel like it keeps my skin soft and I haven’t developed any new marks.

Baths: I love my daily baths, whether using bath bombs or just foaming bath. It helps me relax and soothes my sore muscles. Baths have become a part of my nighttime routine after V’s bedtime story. I take the time to listen to an Audible book or music or watch a YouTube video (usually on hospital bags! haha).

Slippers: I wear them all the time. Who wants to wear real shoes?

Prenatal massage: Why did I wait so long to get one? Oh yeah, I don’t like to spend money! Graham booked one for me and it was much needed and appreciated. I would love to book another before baby as well. I’m also still loving our neck and shoulder massager.

Boppy/Pillows in general: I use them on my back, to support my belly, between my legs, you name it. I would love to spend all day cozied up in pillows. As I write this I have about five pillows behind my back.

Belly bands: They make a huge difference at the end of the day. On days I don’t wear them I can hardly move by the end of the day. When I wear them I feel 1,000 times better! I have tried two kinds. One that is just an elastic band (They say to buy one size larger than pre-pregnancy.) and one that adjusts. I like both!

What are you excited about in this new season? Do you have any current favorite items?

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My most recent Audible listen was “The Joy of Less: A Minimalist Guide to Declutter, Organize, and Simplify” by Francine Jay. It coincided with the beginning of my pre-baby nesting/spring cleaning urge, which began in February. I felt the need to get rid of stuff and make room for our family to grow. I wanted to simplify my life in whatever way I could, so The Joy of Less came into my life at the perfect time. I feel like I took so much away from this book, so I wanted to share some of the wisdom. Of course, there’s a lot more to learn by reading the book for yourself, and I highly recommend it!

Lessons from “The Joy of Less”:

“Less stuff equals less stress.” I couldn’t agree more. That’s exactly why I’ve been so into decluttering (again) lately. The more stuff you have, the more you need to take care of the stuff, like cleaners, and storage bins, and the more time you spend taking care of your belongings.

You don’t have to own certain furniture because it is expected. When you’re in college or younger and maybe didn’t have as much stuff, you also didn’t need as much. When you move into a bigger place you tend to fill it up with more stuff, and a lot of it is to keep up with the Joneses. This has been eye-opening.

Try the one-a-day declutter. This has been the most practical tip for me, because sometimes you just can’t or won’t spend a whole weekend throwing all of your stuff into a pile and sorting through each item. Or, if you’ve already decluttered, you can keep your home tidy and minimalist by regular assessing items as you come into contact with them. I have been doing this lately. I kept a bag behind our bed and put items in it as I came across them and decided I didn’t want, use or like them anymore.

Set an example for others. If you want your partner to minimize their belongings, do so by doing it yourself and supporting them if they want to, but never purge their things without their knowledge. Encourage your friends to exchange experiences as gifts as much as you can.

Become a “minsumer.” Being a minimalist consumer means not buying. Borrowing when you need something, fixing what you have when it breaks, and buying secondhand are all alternatives.

Reduce is better than recycle. This is the biggest reminder I needed. I tend to think it’s OK that I buy something because I can recycle it afterward, but it’s better to not cause the waste in the first place. I have been thinking more about how I can repurpose items I bring into my home. Thinking about the disposal of an item you buy is just as important as thinking about its lifespan. Ask “why before you buy,” the author says.

Connect with minimalists. Reading blogs about minimalism or joining a local group can help you find likeminded people who encourage your lifestyle rather than disparage it.

If you’re interested in this book, I recommend trying Audible because then you don’t have a physical book taking up space in your home, but if you prefer reading to listening, I’ll provide a link below. Consider giving the book to a friend or family member who is interested in minimalism when you’re done with it, or donate the book to a library or charity!

We crossed off a major item on my pre-baby to-do list over the weekend: the birth class! When I signed up for the Preparation for Childbirth workshop a couple of months ago, I wasn’t sure if it was necessary or worth the money. But now that we’ve completed the class I can safely say it was a worthy investment. I wanted to share some reasons I found it to be helpful to take advantage of the education classes offered at your hospital or in your area.

Reasons to take a birth class:

Receive clarification on your hospital’s philosophy and policies: It was nice to know that our hospital already plans to do skin-to-skin contact and delayed cord clamping, which I was already planning to request. You can also find out the hospital’s rates for such things as C-sections. We also learned about how the hospital’s security.

Go on a hospital tour: Getting to labor and delivery can be a source of stress if you don’t know where to park, where to check-in, what your room will look like, etc. Now that we know where to go, what to expect from our stay and the services that are offered we feel more comfortable and relieved.

Know your pain management options: We learned exactly what medication options are available and the hospital’s philosophy and policies surrounding them. If you’re considering an epidural you watch a video and hear about how they are given so you know what you expect. If you’re considering an unmedicated birth you can learn techniques for coping with pain as well. In fact, the entire first day of the workshop focused on unmedicated birth coping mechanisms.

Practice massage techniques and breathing exercises: Part of learning about your pain management options is learning specific massage and support techniques your partner can do to help you during labor. The hip squeeze I found especially helpful! You also do breathing exercises that help not only in labor and delivery but in everyday life.

Get support from other couples: You meet couples from diverse backgrounds and of different ages, but you all share many of the same fears. Talking about those concerns helps alleviate some of the stress and helps you find solutions. You are not alone! Many of the men, for example, shared the feeling of helplessness and fear of not knowing how to help their partners, but they walked away with specific ways to be an active part of the labor process.

Ask questions and get suggestions on outside resources: You are getting information from an expert rather than friends and family who may not be as informed or who may exaggerate their stories. The class debunked popular myths people can sometimes fill your head with. The class was a safe space to ask all the questions you had about giving birth. The instructor also had handouts with contact information for lactation consultants, support groups for postpartum depression, and other classes that may be helpful. (There’s even a class on how to get your dog to adjust to a new baby!)

Taste the hospital food: You will likely be staying int he hospital for two or three days, so it’s not a bad idea to try out the food. Of course, you don’t have to, but we enjoyed checking out the cafeteria options and seeing what we would have available.

Gain reassurance: Overall I felt more confident in myself. The biggest takeaway: I learned to keep an open mind and not set my heart on a given plan. I now have tools I can use, but I don’t need to commit to anything. If I adjust my expectations I can avoid feeling disappointed. At the end of the day the best outcome if a healthy and happy baby, not matter how that happens.

If you plan to have children in the future, will you take one? If you already have kiddos, what did you learn about giving birth?

I have been in decluttering, organization and cleaning mode for a couple of weeks now. There’s something about the approaching change of seasons that inspired this, but mostly it’s preparation for the baby’s arrival! As part of my simplifying, I decided after analyzing my February expenses that I also want to implement a mini pre-baby spending ban in March (and possibly April, too!). The main idea is that I don’t want to spend money outside of baby items, groceries and replacing necessities.

Pre-baby spending ban categories:

Gifts: I don’t have any occasions I need to buy gifts for in March, so this should be easy. I do have a wedding gift to purchase in April.

Makeup/hair products/skin care: I already replaced my mascara after I ran out, so I should not need anything else. It’s possible I will run out of foundation in March and I’ll replace that if needed, but I won’t buy more makeup. I’ll admit it’s hard for me to not want to try new cruelty-free products after watching YouTube videos or reading blog posts, though.

Nail polish: I will use the polish shades I have.

Audible books: I have three books to finish, which might be enough reading material until after maternity leave. I put my membership on hold, so I am not buying more monthly credits.

Clothing: I won’t be buying any clothing until after the baby is born. I am instead selling and donating items I don’t wear. (I’m not counting nursing bras/tops because those are considered items for the baby.)

Planner stickers: I stretched out a mini kit for two months and I still have $3 sticker set from Target that I use. I used a birthday gift card to order another mini kit, but other than that I don’t plan to buy any stickers until after our baby is born. If I run out I can always decorate with markers.

Home decor items: We don’t have a need for it, nor do we have space! I just replaced an old rug under my desk chair, but I plan to not buy anything else unless it’s something we need for the baby.

Plants: We typically buy plants/seedlings in the spring or summer, but I’m not sure if we will this year. It’s probably not a great idea to add to our plant collection or start our summer garden before moving, which we want to do this year. (Note: We want a bigger place; we’re not leaving Chicago. Another note: I can’t control the actions of my husband, who loves to buy plants. haha)

Starbucks: I am not completely cutting it out, though I have already cut back. I want to keep it to once a week. (I haven’t been drinking much coffee but I do enjoy a refreshing drink or a breakfast while I’m on the go.)

Dining out/takeout/food delivery: I want to limit this to once per week in March. This will be the hardest category to even cut back on for us and I am the least optimistic about how we’ll do. Just being honest! But we are going to try. I am going to allow myself a couple of friend dates that will involve going out to eat.

Not included in the ban: Blog expenses, transportation, groceries and other essentials.

I’ll be posting an update at the end of March listing any times I break the spending ban. I hope it’s not too long! Have you ever done a spending ban? What are expenses that are worth it to you? Let me know in the comments!

This past week was highlighted by two celebrations for the Floras: my birthday and our second baby shower! Both were lowkey and casual but they were full of surprises and so much fun! I had no expectations for my birthday –or anything really — this year because I’ve been so tired and experiencing some aches, but my family really made sure I had a wonderful time and felt comfortable while celebrations these milestones.

I started my birthday with a morning yoga class to find some relief from my pregnancy pain. When I walked in the door to our home afterward I was immediately surprised by decorations in the hallway and kitchen. I have no clue how Graham managed to buy the decorations and balloons without me knowing! Where did he hide them? I had been on a decluttering rampage that week, so it’s a mystery to me. He had also somehow baked a cake while I watched TV in the living room the night before without an inkling of what he was up to! A beautiful necklace was sitting on the table for me. All of this was unexpected and incredibly sweet.

After lunch and a slice of cake we headed to see Potted Potter at Broadway Playhouse in Chicago. We wanted to have a birthday date that didn’t involve much standing or require too much energy, and this was perfect!

The festivities continued the following Saturday. Graham’s side of the family made the trip to Chicago to host a casual family baby shower for us at their Airbnb. We spent all day hanging out, eating, playing fun shower games and opening some adorable gifts for our baby girl. It was so amazing of them to travel so I (we) wouldn’t have to drive down to Louisville.

Games we played:

Guess who said it: Graham and I answered questions and people guessed whose answer it was.

Put the toilet paper diaper on the guy: I made the best one!

Guess baby item prices (“Price is Right” style): I would have won but I was 1 cent over!

Family members decorated white onesies for us with markers.

I’ve been blown away by love and thoughtfulness this month, and I won’t forget it! I hope I can repay those who have been so kind and sweet to me (us) lately.